# A day on the Cíes Islands from Vigo, climbing to the lighthouse and an afternoon at Rodas

Permit and boat from Vigo, a climb to the Cíes lighthouse in the morning, lunch at the campsite and the afternoon on Rodas beach before the last boat.

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/galicia/cies-islands/itineraries/day-from-vigo-lighthouse-and-rodas · Revisado: 2026-11-12

## El día
- 08:00 · Salida: 30 min by car (to the Vigo Maritime Station; paid parking at Ribeira do Berbés)
- 09:00 · Boat to the Cíes Islands from Vigo, Cangas or Baiona (Mar de Ons · €27.50 return · Xunta authorisation and ticket beforehand) · Mar de Ons Ferries, From €28 adult
  - 1 h 30 on foot
- 10:15 · Monte Faro route, to the Cíes lighthouse (3.5 km uphill from the pier; back the same way)
  - 1 h 30 on foot
- 13:30 · Camping Islas Cíes Restaurant (self-service or table · no booking · 13:00 to 16:00) · Camping Islas Cíes Restaurant, €€
  - 10 min on foot
- 15:30 · Rodas beach (swim in cold, clear water)
- 18:30 · Vuelta: 45 min by boat (last boat of the afternoon to Vigo; in Pontevedra around 20:00)

The Cíes can be done well in a day if you get organised beforehand: permit, ticket and first boat. That way you climb to the lighthouse in the cool, eat on the island and leave the whole afternoon for Rodas.

## Before you set off

From 15 May to 15 September, first apply for the free Xunta permit at autorizacionillasatlanticas.xunta.gal and, with the code, buy the boat on Mar de Ons. In summer, a month ahead. Outside those dates the shipping company handles it when it sells you the ticket, but the campsite restaurant is closed.

## The day, hour by hour

8:00 · Set off. From Pontevedra, half an hour to the port of Vigo; from Santiago, an hour. Collect your ticket up to 30 minutes beforehand.

9:00 · Boat. From the Estación Marítima. Join the queue 15 minutes early, with your ID.

10:15 · Monte Faro route. From the jetty you cross Rodas and climb by track to the Cíes lighthouse: 3.5 km and an hour and a half each way, 175 m of ascent. At the top, the west cliff and the whole estuary.

13:30 · Lunch at the campsite. The island's only large restaurant: octopus, fish from the estuary or quick self-service. No bookings.

15:30 · Rodas beach. An afternoon of sand and swimming. Remember there are no bins: your rubbish goes back with you.

18:30 · Head home. Confirm the time of the last boat when you buy your ticket.

## Cómo llegar

### By car
To Vigo's Estación Marítima, with paid parking next door. Boats also leave from Cangas and, in summer, from Baiona.

### Without a car
Reach Vigo by train or bus and walk to the Estación Marítima, in the centre.

## Consejos

### Permit first
Without the Xunta code you cannot buy the boat in high season.

### Water and something to eat
There are no fountains on the routes.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### How much does the day cost?
Boat, €27.50; permit, free; lunch at the campsite, €20 to €35.

### Can you go with a dog?
No: the National Park does not admit domestic animals, except guide dogs.

### What if the weather is bad?
The shipping companies cancel in rough seas. Check the forecast the day before.